- Zircon is sometimes used in place of the December birthstone, blue topaz.
- The majority of blue topaz is colorless topaz that has been dyed blue.
- According to the Mohs Scale of Hardness, blue topaz is harder than tanzanite (8 on the scale).
- The three more often marketed types of blue topaz are London blue, Swiss blue, and sky blue.
- In certain regions of the US, China, Mexico, and Russia, topaz is mined and manufactured.
In This Article...
What Does December Birthstone Mean?
The birthstone for December has a variety of profound meanings. Early on in human history, blue topaz served as a symbol of protection, but its significance in modern times has changed and evolved. At this time, blue topaz is a symbol of affection and is frequently presented as a gift. The ideal anniversary gift for couples who have been married for four or 19 years is a blue topaz stone. The Greek word topazion, which means fire, is whence the word topaz gets its phonetic meaning. In addition, many think the term topaz may have come from the now-named St. Johns, an island in Egypt called Topazos.
How Many Birthstones are there for December
One of the biggest numbers of birthstones designated for December (three in total). Even though each stone is unique, they all have the same color of blue. The three gems are tanzanite, blue topaz, and turquoise. The availability, cost, and enduring appeal of the stone are the varying factors that account for December’s several stones.
Is Tanzanite a December Birthstone?
Since being discovered in 1967 on the slopes of the massive Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, East Africa, and given that country’s name by Tiffany & Co., tanzanite has gained enormous popularity and is currently the second-fastest selling colored gemstone after sapphire. The first stone to be included on the official birthstone list since 1912, it was designated as the birthstone for December in 2002.
What is the Birthstone for December?
The blue topaz, which is the birthstone for December, has long been a favorite and popular birthstone choice among people. The topaz was a symbol of protection and a popular stone in many prehistoric cultures. There was a common understanding that this stone was absolutely remarkable that was known in every part of the world, from the Aztecs to the ancient Egyptians. Visit Joseph’s Jewelry to shop our favorite pieces of jewelry that showcase this stunning stone.
What Color is December Birthstone?
The most popular topaz color right now in the jewelry industry is blue. It can be purchased in a wide array of blue hues, from a light, pale blue with a light tone and saturation to a dark, rich blue with a moderate to deep tone and saturation. Two types of processed blue topaz have taken the lead. The terms “Swiss Blue” and “London Blue topaz” refer to them. Swiss Blue is a light-toned, light-to-moderately saturated, vivid blue topaz. Dark blue topaz with a medium to dark tone and saturation is called London Blue.
Are blue topaz birthstones?
The birthstone for December with the most widespread recognition is blue topaz, which has a gorgeous pale blue hue reminiscent of a clear, chilly December sky. When heated, either naturally or chemically, topaz turns blue in varying degrees. The deepest hue, London Blue Topaz, is a color that is almost never found in nature and is only created by gemological techniques.
Given that blue topaz is thought to stand for love and devotion, it is a wonderful gift for a close friend, especially those born in December.
Is blue topaz a birthstone for March?
Both topaz and aquamarine are excellent possibilities for a birthstone to symbolize the month of March. In fact, either stone’s blue tones make it an excellent pick for anyone.
What does the blue topaz represent?
“Blue topaz symbolizes fidelity and righteousness; it is linked to pure love, which is unclouded by illusion, as well as to relationships, trust, and communication.
Who dons blue topaz jewelry?
This jewel is universally wearable and makes a lovely present. Those who adore the color blue will adore this diamond. Additionally, as blue topaz is the birthstone for November, those who celebrate their birthdays in the eleventh month frequently wear it. This makes it the ideal birthday present for everyone born in November! It’s also the customary stone connected to the fourth wedding anniversary. As a result, think of buying your wife beautiful blue topaz jewelry as the ideal 4th anniversary present!
Is blue topaz or turquoise the birthstone for December?
The birthstone for December is blue topaz, and two potent zodiac signs also have their months in December. In astrology, Sagittarius and Capricorn are both distinctive and potent signs. While Capricorns are ambitious, Sagittarius are adventurers at heart. The planetary history of blue topaz is shared by the December Zodiac signs. According to legend, particular gemstones correspond to particular planets and astrological signs. It was believed that wearing the stone related to your zodiac sign during the month (or time) of your birth would have a good impact on your life. Amplifying the core abilities of the Capricorn and Sagittarius zodiac signs could result in some truly amazing things.
What birthstone has the rarest stone?
While some birthstones are more accessible than others, precious gemstones in particular are thought to be relatively scarce. However, given that some really expensive stones are not all that rare and vice versa, price tags can be deceiving when it comes to rarity. For instance, although expensive, April’s diamond is less rare than rubies, emeralds, and alexandrite. Speaking of alexandrite, it is now the most expensive and rarest gemstone on the list of birthstones. Additionally extremely rare, black opals are.
Birthstones provide an intriguing way to select jewelry. They enable people to investigate jewels that they might otherwise avoid. However, birthstones are not always what people think they are, so make sure you are buying birthstone jewelry for the right reasons while making your selection.
Is blue topaz uncommon?
Blue topaz is incredibly rare in its natural state. Because of this, almost all blue topaz used in jewelry is heated or exposed to radiation. On their merchandise, reputable jewelers will always make this statement.
Blue topaz that has been heated is completely acceptable by gem professionals and customers, unlike heated sapphires and rubies. The crystal structure of the gem won’t be weakened by expert treatment.
Are aquamarine and blue topaz the same thing?
Despite having a somewhat similar appearance, blue topaz and aquamarine are totally different stones. While aquamarine is a member of the beryl family and is comprised of beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate, blue topaz is an aluminum and fluorine silicate mineral.
What more do you need to know about aquamarine vs. blue topaz gems?
Various countries, including Brazil, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Australia, China, Madagascar, Ireland, Japan, Tasmania, South Africa, Mexico, Scotland, and the United States, are the sources of blue topaz stones.
Aquamarines, on the other hand, are found in countries like Brazil, Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Madagascar, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Russia.
The amount of iron and chromium in a topaz stone determines its hue. A natural blue topaz gem is very uncommon, yet it has a very pale color.
On the other hand, an aquamarine gem has a characteristic color that fluctuates over the blue-green spectrum. The majority of aquamarines are pale blue, and it is uncommon to find any with a real, rich hue of blue-green.
Angle of refraction of a gemstone has an effect on its refractive index (RI). The brilliance of high RI stones is also greater than that of low RI gems.
An aquamarine has less refraction than a blue topaz, which has significant refraction by nature. These stones’ ability to reflect light also aids in distinguishing them from one another. Additionally, blue topaz is what you’re wearing if you see double refraction lines in blue gemstone jewelry.
Hardness and Durability: A gemstone’s resistance to scratches and abrasions is greatly influenced by its hardness. The blue topaz outranks aquamarine, which rates at 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale, with a hardness of 8.
Despite its great level of durability, aquamarine can break when handled aggressively. Due to its flawless basal cleavage, blue topaz is easily chipped and fractured when struck.
Cost: The price of a precious gemstone can affect your choice, whether you’re looking for a non-diamond engagement ring or that eye-catching pendant you’ve always loved.
Due to its accessibility, blue topaz makes a considerably more cheap alternative than an aquamarine stone. Like its sibling, the emerald, which is a member of the same beryl family of minerals, pure aquamarine, a more rare gemstone, carries a heftier price tag.
Weight: Another crucial factor in the aquamarine vs. blue topaz comparison is how much heavier the blue topaz stone feels compared to an aquamarine stone of the same size. A blue topaz will therefore be smaller than an aquamarine of the same weight as a result of this.
Why is March the month with two birthstones?
Bloodstone used to be the traditional birthstone for March, but that changed as the stone’s supply shrank and people born in March needed a more convenient and economical replacement. The March birthstone collection was then expanded to include aquamarine.